STAT+: Drugmakers, biotech VCs show ‘reinvigorated’ interest in osteoporosis treatments

Pharmaceutical companies and biotech venture capitalists are showing 'reinvigorated' interest in osteoporosis treatments, with the pharma industry incentivized by a long-awaited regulatory change. Osteoporosis—a condition in older adults that makes bones thin and fragile—was once a top priority for drugmakers: Eli Lilly, Merck, Novartis, and GSK each had their own treatment designed to stop bones from weakening.

However, cumbersome requirements for taking those drugs, along with a series of safety concerns, stifled their use, and many patients eligible for osteoporosis therapies do not take any of the drugs available today. Several companies hope to fill that void.

Eli Lilly is recruiting scientists to work on osteoporosis therapies, according to Bloomberg, and other pharmaceutical companies are rumored to be following suit. Venture capitalists, having taken notice, are now making bone health one of their priorities.